The Benefits of Fish Oil

What are the Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements?

The health benefits of fish oil have been widely touted on the internet, magazines and other media outlets. I have been taking fish oil supplements for over five years now, and I can attest to the health benefits I have experienced from fish oil. I believe that they have been helpful in stabilizing my mood, something which is very important to someone who has or is suffering from chronic fatigue. The benefits of fish oil capsules that I currently take have been extraordinary in my opinion, and I recommend them to everyone, including those who do not have chronic fatigue syndrome.

I’ve put together my own ‘top ten’ list of the benefits from fish oil, with emphasis on those benefits that are of use to someone with chronic fatigue syndrome:

1. Reduces Depression

Omega-3 fatty acids, a key component of fish oil, are vital to proper brain functioning. Some clinical trials have shown that fish oil can act as an effective antidepressant for some individuals. More research on the effects of omega-3s on depression is required for the medical community to form a definite consensus on fish oil treatment for depression, but an increasing body of research, including two fish consumption studies conducted by Joseph Hibbeln, M.D. of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicate that fish oil may prove to be an effective treatment for depression. Because fish oil supplements do not have the long list of negative side effects that current antidepressant drugs do, this could be welcome news for those currently suffering from depression. Individuals who are suffering from depression may want to try to see if they can reap these benefits of fish oil supplements.

2. Aids in Weight Loss

Fish oil has been demonstrated to have a linkage to weight loss; various studies, including one conducted by the University of Georgia and published in the Journal of Nutrition have documented this effect. The recommended dosage for weight loss is 6 grams per day. Most fish oil capsules are 1 gram, so you would need to take 6 capsules per day, preferably three in the morning and three in the evening. Many of us with chronic fatigue syndrome often battle with weight gain as a result of the inactivity that our condition causes, so taking fish oil supplements may be another tool we can use to assist in losing weight.

In a study conducted in Australia, the effects of consuming omega 3 (found in fish oil) was was tested in subjects who were attempting to lose weight. The results of this study demonstrated that in order to gain the weight loss benefits of adding fish oil to one’s diet, a person has to regularly engage in moderate exercise such as walking or biking. The study found that those taking fish oil who walked or ran for 45 minutes, three days per week lost more weight than those who exercised without supplementing with fish oil. The additional weight loss that Omega-3 has on the body is due to the fact that the omega 3 compound increases the flow of blood to a person’s muscles when exercising. The net result of this is that more fat is burned by the muscle during exercise. Although the amount of weight loss is not huge, combined with the other numerous health benefits from fish oil, it is a happy side effect nonetheless.

3. Increases Mental Focus and Acuity

Numerous doctors have noted the benefits of fish oil supplements, particularly those high in omega-3s for patients with who have difficulty concentrating, including children and adults with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Most of the benefits appear to be more for concentration and focus, with little to no benefit for hyperactivity. Generally, results are seen after fish oil supplements are taken for several weeks, even up to six weeks.

In my own case, I have noted that I have much higher concentration as well as an elevated mood when taking fish oil capsules. I take 4 grams of omega-3 oils each day, usually divided into 2 grams morning and evening (unless I forget to take the morning dose, in which case I take all four capsules in the evening!). For someone who often suffered from depression as a result of the chronic fatigue, this supplement has been of major importance to me.

4. Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease

Possibly one of the best benefits of fish oil supplements is their positive effect on heart and cardiovascular health. By reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and helping to increase the levels of ‘good cholesterol’, omega-3 fish oil may help to reduce your risk of heart attack. Some people believe that this simple supplement may provide more protection from heart disease and other cardiovascular problems than pharmaceutical drugs, and with little to none of the side effects that those drugs often have.

5. Improves Vision

One of the lesser known benefits of omega-3 oil is its role in eye health. Several studies, for example, indicate that adults who take fish oil regularly are less likely to develop macular degeneration as they age. A particular high concentration of omega-3 is found in the retina, which has been shown to protect the eye from retinopathy in lab studies of mice. Retinopathy is a condition in which shrinking blood vessels and abnormal growth on the retinal surfaces occur. Both retinopathy and macular degeneration can result in loss of vision, so taking fish oil would be a good choice to help prevent these conditions from occurring.

6. Reduces Soreness From Weight Training

Due to the effect that omega-3 fish oil has in reducing inflammation throughout the body, people who engage in weight training have discovered that taking fish oil can often dramatically reduce the muscle soreness that usually accompanies weight lifting. This benefit applies to anyone who is looking to incorporate strength training into their exercise plan. By reducing muscle soreness, more frequent exercise may be done with less recovery time being required between exercise. This could be a wonderful benefit for CFS patients who usually suffer extreme muscle pain and fatigue when attempting any type of strength training.

7. May Help Treat Ulcers

The benefits of fish oil supplements in treating peptic ulcers has been reported by The University of Maryland Medical Center. They recommend that patients suffering from ulcers take fish oil; the anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties of omega-3 oils are believed to help to heal existing ulcers and prevent the recurrence of these ulcers. Because depression is often a co-factor for developing an ulcer, fish oil’s role in reducing depression may be of benefit here as well.

8. Reduces Cholesterol

I already mentioned the positive effects on heart and cardiovascular health above. It has long been noted that heart disease is rare in countries where fish is a primary component of the diet. Fish oil has been shown to reduce triglycerides and increase HDL, the so-called ‘good cholesterol’. This ‘good’ cholesterol transports cholesterol to the liver where it can be broken down and disposed of by the body, instead of allowing it to remain in your arteries. Because high cholesterol can cause blood clots, by taking fish oil the risk of formation of blood clots is reduced when taken in amounts of at least 1 gram daily. Omega-3 oils also reduce inflammation in your arteries as well as throughout the body.

The Mayo Clinic has said that research shows the cholesterol-lowering benefits of eating fish. The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil capsules reduce blood pressure and the possibility of blood clots, and assist in keeping the heart healthy. For patients who have already suffered a heart attacks, taking fish oil supplements can significantly reduce the risk of sudden death. Dr. Robert Eckel, president of the American Heart Association, announced in 2005 that taking just a few grams of fish oil per day reduced the risk of heart-related problems by almost 20 percent.

9. Lowers Inflammation Throughout the Body

Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids can have a beneficial lowering effect on inflammation in the body. Taking fish oil capsules will help to reduce inflammation in the body by lowering the production of hormones that worsen inflammation. These supplements oil will not prevent inflammation from occurring but rather are used to lower existing inflammation. When used as part of an anti inflammatory diet, patients who suffering from conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease see the benefits of fish oil supplements. Fish oil is also helpful in reducing chronic inflammation in the body, which may be responsible for other conditions including lupus, thyroiditis, arthritis and heart disease. Taking just three to four grams of fish oil per day will help in reducing inflammation in the body.

10. Beneficial to Healthy Skin

When taken daily, fish oil can help with skin disorders such as psoriasis, acne and eczema, as well as helping to give your skin a healthy, youthful glow. By helping to hydrate the skin, omega 3 fish oil can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

 

This is the Fish Oil that I Use Most:

I take 3 capsules daily of this fish oil, which I especially like because it is molecularly distilled to remove mercury and other chemicals, thereby resulting in a highly pure product:

Kirkland Signature Fish Oil w/ Omega-3 Enteric Coated 180 Softgels